Its opening ceremony was held at Phyongchang Olympic Stadium on Friday.

Kim Yong Nam, president of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly, who is heading a high-level delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Kim Yo Jong, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, took the platform of the opening ceremony.

Present there were members of a high-level delegation of the DPRK and its National Olympic Committee delegation, art troupe and cheering group and a cheering group of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan.

Attending it were President Moon Jae In and personages of political and social circles of south Korea, President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, heads of state and government of different countries, foreign guests and sports fans.

The players participating in the 23rd Winter Olympics from across the world entered the stadium.

Spectators broke into cheers and applause as players of the north and the south of Korea entered the stadium, led by the flag of the Korean Peninsula amid the playing of the song "Arirang."

Kim Yong Nam, Kim Yo Jong and President Moon Jae In and his wife all stood up to wave to the players of the north and the south.

The participants in the opening ceremony warmly encouraged the players of the north and the south who were marching together holding the flag of the Korean peninsula bearing the Korean map

The chairman of the Olympic Organizing Committee and the IOC president made congratulatory speeches before President Moon Jae In declared the Winter Olympics open.

The Olympic flag was hoisted amid the playing of the song of Olympics and the Olympics oath was made.

There took place a ceremony of lighting the cauldron of the Olympics.

Prior to the ceremony, Taekwon-Do players from the north and the south of Korea gave a demonstration performance.

That day Kim Yo Jong, first vice department director of the Central Committee of the WPK, exchanged warm greetings with President Moon Jae In shaking hands with him.

The 23rd Winter Olympics will close on Feb. 25.